By Mercy Mutheu, Rongo University
It is deeply hypocritical for the Social Health Authority (SHA) to seek licensed overseas hospitals to treat Kenyan patients abroad when citizens are already complaining that the system barely functions at home. If SHA struggles to deliver within Kenya, how can it possibly succeed overseas? Even more troubling, the government appears ready to invest in foreign hospitals while our own facilities remain underfunded and inadequate. Healthcare is a critical pillar of governance, and this unwise decision threatens to further weaken our already fragile health sector. By paying for citizens to seek treatment abroad, the government reinforces the harmful notion that Western countries are inherently superior.
Relying on overseas hospitals undermines efforts to strengthen our local healthcare system. Kenya still lags behind in medical services: we may have impressive infrastructure, but we lack personnel, equipment, and even basic medicines. Poor facilities endanger lives daily. To divert resources abroad while neglecting our own hospitals is a clear sign of misplaced priorities.
Failure to invest in local healthcare centers risks driving away skilled professionals. If SHA continues sending patients abroad, local specialists may feel undervalued and sidelined, prompting them to seek opportunities overseas. Losing our best talent to foreign hospitals will only deepen the crisis and weaken the system further.
There are also financial risks. Currency fluctuations could raise costs if the shilling weakens, leaving SHA unable to cover hospital bills abroad. This would saddle patients with unaffordable expenses, delay urgent treatment, and put lives at risk. Moreover, overseas treatment is prohibitively expensive—accessible only to a privileged few. What happens to the majority of Kenyans who cannot afford it but still need urgent care?
The government should rethink this approach. Instead of treating overseas hospitals as an alternative, Kenya should collaborate with them to build local capacity. Partnerships could focus on knowledge-sharing, training specialists, and introducing new technologies to raise our standards.
Investing in local healthcare is the only sustainable solution. Our hospitals must be equipped with adequate medicines, modern equipment, and sufficient personnel. Specialists should receive continuous training to boost expertise and confidence. Equally important, healthcare professionals must be offered competitive salaries and benefits to retain talent and prevent brain drain. Motivated staff will deliver better care and strengthen the system from within.
Ultimately, the government must prioritize upgrading local healthcare facilities rather than outsourcing treatment abroad. Building a robust, self-reliant healthcare system is the path to safeguarding lives, restoring trust, and ensuring that every Kenyan has access to quality medical care at home.
